REAL TIME CLOCK - A real time clock comprises a counter which stores a count value, the count value representing a time signal. The counter may be written, for example by a host processor (not shown), such that the time signal can be set to any desired value. The real time clock comprises a check register that stores a check value. The content of the check register (i.e. the check value) is modified each time a write operation is performed on the counter. For example, the content of the check register can be updated by a control signal each time a write operation is performed on the counter. The check value stored in the check register is used for determining whether a write operation performed on the counter is an authorized write operation or an unauthorized write operation. The check value may be incremented each time a write operation is performed, replaced with a new random number each time a write operation is performed, or a combination of both.

X-ray Imaging System for Performing Automated Imaging of Patient Anatomy - An X-ray imaging system performs automated imaging of patient anatomy. A collimator includes at least one portion of X-ray absorbent material automatically adjustable to alter the dimensions of a spatial cross section of an X-ray beam of radiation, in response to a control signal. A collimator controller generates the control signal in response to, determining one or more regions of the X-ray detector corresponding to a portion of patient anatomy to be X-rayed in response to X-ray absorbent markers indicating boundaries of the portion of patient anatomy during an initialization X-ray exposure for individual steps of the series of pre-programmed steps and determining different positions of the portion of X-ray absorbent material for corresponding individual steps of a series of pre-programmed steps in response to the determined regions. An X-ray imaging device automatically moves an X-ray detector and X-ray emitter combination relative to patient anatomy in a series of pre-programmed steps, in response to data representing the determined series of pre-programmed steps and user command. The X-ray imaging device automatically adjusts the position of the portion of X-ray absorbent material via the control signal.

MEDICAL IMAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS ALLOWING LOCALIZED IMAGE QUALITY SPECIFICATION - In a method and device for medical imaging, a number of input parameters with regard to an image exposure are imported into a controller of the imaging device, that associate a desired image quality with a defined image exposure region. A number of control parameters are determined corresponding to each input parameter. The controller supplies each control parameter to the image acquisition apparatus for acquiring the image exposure of the examination region with the desired local image quality.

X-ray Imaging System for Performing Automated Multi-step Imaging of Patient Anatomy - An X-ray imaging system performs automated multi-step imaging of patient anatomy and includes an X-ray imaging device. The X-ray imaging device supports automated movement of an X-ray detector and X-ray emitter combination relative to patient anatomy in a series of pre-programmed steps. A multi-step programming interface enables a user to select, (a) a start position for X-ray imaging at a first location of a portion of patient anatomy and (b) an end position for X-ray imaging at a second location of a portion of patient anatomy. A computation processor automatically determines a series of pre-programmed steps comprising multiple incremental distances to be moved by the X-ray detector and X-ray emitter combination relative to the portion of patient anatomy in response to predetermined data including, (i) the selected start and end positions, (ii) the length of the portion of patient anatomy imaged in an individual step and (iii) the amount of overlap desired between successive X-ray images. An imaging controller initiates automated multi-step imaging of the portion of patient anatomy by the X-ray imaging device in response to data representing the determined series of pre-programmed steps and user command.

2009-09-24

20090238332

Breast x-ray machine - This Breast X-ray Mammogram Machine was design for both women and men. Today we have just as much men with breast cancer as women. Therefore, with this new breast x-ray mammogram machine. You will be able to detect any abnormalities in both the breast and the chest area. This breast x-ray mammogram machine is a large rectangular x-ray mammogram machine. This machine would measure up to seven feet in height. However, this breast x-ray mammogram machine would have a horizontal metal base; a set of plastic/metal wheels, film holder for the x-ray film and x-ray components for a copper anode. A tungsten target and a cathode inside a glass housing with a lead casting. Included in the breast x-ray mammogram machine would be an AC motor.

2009-09-24

20090238333

TRANS-RAMAN FOR BREAST CANCER - Non invasive in-vivo measurement of composition of a tissue within a part of a human or animal subject is carried out by detecting a Raman spectral characteristic in light scattered through the part using a transmission, rather than a backscattering geometry. The technique is applied to the detection of calcifications in human breast tissues.

SUITCASE COMPARTMENTALIZED FOR SECURITY INSPECTION AND SYSTEM - A piece of luggage, such as a suitcase, is constructed with one or more compartments of predesigned location and purpose to facilitate security inspection. Compartments may be designated to hold objects that, if obscured by other objects, carry an undesirably high likelihood of generating a false alarm because obscuring objects prevent an accurate assessment of the nature of those objects. For this reason, a compartment may be designated for liquids, gels and/or aerosols. A compartment may also be designated for objects, such as metal objects, which carry a risk of generating a false alarm if packed in a suitcase in a way that they obscure other objects and prevent an accurate determination of whether those objects are threat objects. Such compartments are positioned to ensure that the items they contain are segregated during x-ray inspection so as to neither obscure or be obscured by other objects packed in the luggage.

2009-09-24

20090238336

Multiple Pass Cargo Inspection System - The present invention is a cargo inspection system, employing a radiation source, capable of scanning vehicles and/or cargo in a wide range of sizes, including conventional imaging areas as well as taller and bulkier enclosures at sufficiently optimal efficacy and overall throughput. In one embodiment, the present invention is a multiple pass inspection method for inspecting vehicles and their cargo, comprising a first pass scan, wherein said first pass scan includes moving a radiation source at a suitable scanning distance, rotating a radiation source at a suitable scanning angle, and moving said radiation source along an object under inspection.

RADIOTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS - A reference phantom includes CT-imageable detail together with light-reflective spheres. This item can be placed on a patient table in a known location, following which the diagnostic source can be activated to detect the phantom position relative to the isocentre and camera employed to detect the PSS position. A synthetic image of the phantom can be used for comparison with the CT dataset. This allows improved correlation of the source and the patient support, enable further steps to be taken in enhancing the clinical effectiveness of the apparatus. In-use variations of the isocentre location can be corrected in real time by adjustment of the patient support. Thus, as the isocentre moves, the patient can be moved so as to track the moving isocentre. The linac arm could also be designed differently, as the existing design constraint (that isocentre movement must be limited as far as possible) could potentially be relaxed in order to achieve other aims.

2009-09-24

20090238339

Dynamically-Varied Beam Energy Using a Tunable Monochromatic X-Ray Beam - In one embodiment, a method includes applying an output of a substantially monochromatic x-ray beam source to a target tissue along a first path, tuning the output of the substantially monochromatic x-ray beam source, and applying an output of a substantially monochromatic x-ray beam source to a target tissue along a second path different from the first path. The energy of the output of the substantially monochromatic x-ray beam source at the target tissue substantially corresponds to a binding energy level of an electron shell in an atom within the target tissue along the first path. The tuning tunes the substantially monochromatic x-ray beam source such that an energy of the output of the substantially monochromatic x-ray beam source at the target tissue along the second path substantially corresponds to a binding energy level of an electron shell in an atom within the target tissue.

2009-09-24

20090238340

X-RAY TUBE AND X-RAY SOURCE INCLUDING SAME - The present invention relates to an X-ray tube, having a structure enabling capturing of a clear magnified transmission image and enabling increase of a magnification factor of the magnified transmission image, and an X-ray source including the X-ray tube. In the X-ray tube, X-rays are generated by making electrons from an electron gun incident onto an X-ray target of an anode, disposed inside an anode housing unit, and the generated X-rays are taken out from an X-ray emission window. In particular, the anode has a straight main body and a protruding portion, extending along an axis line direction of the main body from a tip of the main body. An inclined surface, onto which the electrons emitted from the electron gun collide, and a pair of side surfaces, disposed in parallel while sandwiching the inclined surface, are formed on the protruding portion. A distance between the pair of side surfaces of the protruding portion is shorter than a width of the main body in the same direction as the distance.

2009-09-24

20090238341

IMAGING SUPPORT DEVICE FOR RADIOGRAPHIC LONG LENGTH IMAGING - An image taking support device for radiographic long length imaging, the image taking support device providing an image of a subject, the image being longer than a length of a maximum field of view of a radiation detector, by combining a plurality of radiographic images each partially overlapping another at the overlapping parts, the device comprising:

2009-09-24

20090238342

CASSETTE ACCOMMODATING DEVICE, RADIATION DETECTION SYSTEM, AND RECHARGEABLE BATTERY ACCOMMODATING DEVICE - A cassette accommodating device accommodates cassettes with various sizes. Each cassette houses a rechargeable battery and a radiation detection unit that generates a radiographic image according to an amount of received radiation and each cassette is provided with a power receiving unit for recharging the rechargeable battery on at least one of two connected side faces of each cassette. The device includes a groove portion formed with a sloping face that faces one of the two connected side faces of an accommodated cassette and a bottom face that faces another of the two connected side faces of the accommodated cassette. The bottom face is inclined such that the cassette moves toward the sloping face when the cassette is loaded. A power supply unit is formed to the sloping face and/or the bottom face so as to supply power to the power receiving unit when the cassette has been accommodated.

2009-09-24

20090238343

End-to-end logic tracing of complex call flows in a distributed call system - A logic history can be provided for every request or call instance through a distributed computing system that uniquely traces its entire path, end-to-end, in-band within the messaging for the system. The end result is a single true representation of what occurred with no post computational inference. Accordingly, unique logic history codes are not forced across the system. Rather sub-components that are logic history enabled can use codes that have meaning and applicability to itself. Unique logic history codes are not forced across the system, which in practice would be brittle. Rather each sub-component that is logic history enabled can use codes that have meaning and applicability only to itself. This allows the system to be flexible and lets sub-components change and redefine their logic and logic history traces without impacting the rest of the system.

2009-09-24

20090238344

COMMUNICATION CONTROL DEVICE AND COMMUNICATION CONTROL METHOD - A communication control apparatus includes a database which stores the telephone number of an emergency call center, a search circuit which acquires communication data with which a phone terminal calls another phone terminal and which searches the database for the telephone number of a call destination, and a position information addition unit which, if the telephone number of the call destination is found in the database, adds information indicating the position of the phone terminal originating the call or the position of the communication control apparatus to the communication data. The information indicating the position includes a zip code, an address or an address code. The position information addition unit adds the position information of the communication control apparatus posterior to position information added by a preceding communication control apparatus.

2009-09-24

20090238345

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVE SILENCING OF TELEPHONE RINGING - A system and method for a selective ring silencer that prevents people from having to listen to the telephone ring on and on with nuisance calls. The ringer silencer can be: (1) discretely constructed from a telephone, (2) part of a telecommunication device, or (3) part of a central telephone network construction. A receiver demodulates an incoming call. Control logic reads at least a portion of the called identification (CID) data and determines an action based on the reading. A switch in communication with the control logic is actuated to a first state that allows the communication data to be output from the ring silencer, and a second state that blocks the communication data from being output from the ring silencer to a user's communication device. The control logic blocks toll-free area codes originated calls from ringing a user's telephone, optionally forwarding the call to a voice mail module.

2009-09-24

20090238346

Method of Copying Voice Messages in the Form of Text Messages in a Packet Communication Network - A method of dubbing voice messages in the form of text messages, said messages being sent by a voice service element to a terminal through a packet-mode digital data transmission network in which a channel using a transmission protocol is used to transmit the voice messages. A transmission control protocol is associated with the aforementioned transmission protocol and the text messages are sent to the terminal in a channel using said transmission control protocol. The method is suitable for interpersonal communication over packet-switching communications networks.

2009-09-24

20090238347

COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM AND DATA PROCESSOR - A computer readable storage medium stores a computer-executable program for outputting a user interface to a computer. The computer includes a voice message output device for outputting a voice message, and the user interface being capable of consecutively informing a progress of a process executed by the computer and the progress is informed with the voice message through the voice message output device. The program causing the computer to execute the steps includes first determining whether or not the user interface consecutively informs an another progress of another process with a voice message at the computer upon start timing of informing a one progress of a specific process to be executed, first outputting to the computer a first user interface capable of consecutively informing the one progress of the specific process with a first voice message that includes a start message indicating a start of the specific process, an ongoing message indicating an ongoing of the specific process, and an end message indicating an end of the specific process, if the first determining step determines that the user interface does not consecutively inform the another progress of the another process with the voice message, and second outputting to the computer a second user interface capable of informing the one progress of the specific process with a second voice message that includes a start message and an end message while omitting the ongoing message, if the first determining step determines that the user interface consecutively informs the another progress of the another process with the voice message.

2009-09-24

20090238348

Telecom Web Browsers, and Methods for Defining a Telecom Web Browser - A method of defining a voice browser for browsing a plurality of voice sites, at least some of the voice sites having different telephone numbers, the voice sites being configured to be accessed by telephone, is provided including storing information relating to voice sites visited by a voice user; and providing forward and back functions, comprising transferring a user from one voice site to another, in response to commands by the user. Computer program code and systems are also provided.

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING COMMUNICATION RELAY DESTINATION, APPARATUS FOR NOTIFYING RELAY DESTINATION INFORMATION, AND IP PHONE TERMINAL - A receiving unit receives state information including operational state of an IP phone terminal, user ID, and destination ID, and stores it in a state storage unit. An obtaining unit obtains state information including a user ID included in received state information from the state storage unit. A determining unit determines an order for selecting a second destination ID as a relay destination of a communication for a first destination ID based on the operational state. A generating unit generates order information indicating a selection of the second destination ID in a determined order. A notifying unit notifies the order information to a server device.

2009-09-24

20090238351

INFORMATION APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD OF THE SAME - After the user purchased an information apparatus, even when he turns on a power source without setting a line and automatic line identification fails, a demonstration mode is not started, and when the information apparatus exists in a shop, the demonstration mode can be certainly started by the minimum number of steps. The information apparatus has: a communicating situation identifying unit for identifying a communicating situation of the information apparatus; a display unit for displaying the demonstration mode and an electronic key for promoting sales of the information apparatus; an operation unit for selecting the electronic key; and a control unit for identifying the communicating situation when the power source is turned on, starting a regular mode in which the information apparatus is normally used when the identification of the communicating situation succeeds, and displaying a demonstration mode selection display screen to select start-up of the demonstration mode when the identification of the communicating situation fails.

2009-09-24

20090238352

IP Telephone Device - An IP telephone device may be configured to obtain identification information of each of a plurality of receiver devices, create text data including the identification information of each of the plurality of receiver devices, receive a call request, send the text data to a sender of the call request, receive at least one identification information selected in the sender of the call request in accordance with the text data, send a first call request notice instruction to a receiver device corresponding to the received identification information, transfer voice data sent from the receiver device which has been a destination of the first call request notice instruction to the sender of the call request, and transfer voice data sent from the sender of the call request to the receiver device which has been the destination of the first call request notice instruction.

2009-09-24

20090238353

METHOD AND SYSTEM OF CALL COMPLETION BASED ON CALLER SELECTED CALL TREATMENT - In the present invention, a caller is presented with the state of the call as detected by the network, along with a number of potential options, such as: request sequential or parallel call notification to one or more other stations; end the call but leave a voicemail for the caller even if the called party does not subscribe to voicemail; end the call but leave a text message for the caller if the station is capable of receiving the text message; send a text or voice message as e-mail to the called party, if the called party permits such a service; request the network to leave a missed call notification along with a number to dial back; request to notify the caller when the original called party is idle or willing to accept a call; or any number of other options the service provider is capable of supporting.

2009-09-24

20090238354

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED CALL NOTIFICATION AND TREATMENT - An application server that provides RBT treatment to a caller and simultaneously notifies the called party, as subscriber of the service facilitated by the present invention, of an incoming call, whereby the called party is able to select a treatment for the call to be presented to the caller based on input collected from the called party on a real-time basis.

2009-09-24

20090238355

GUIDED ASSIGNMENT OF TELEPHONE FEATURES - A method of offering telephone services to a customer includes displaying a product catalog containing at least one guided assignment folder in response to determining the presence of a root folder. The method also includes governing an evaluation of a plurality of content contained in the at least one guided assignment folder based on a rule set. The rule set is unique to a folder type associated with the at least one guided assignment folder. The method also includes forming a telephone service order including a content of the plurality of content automatically assigned to the service order based on the rule set.

2009-09-24

20090238356

GROUP COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, GROUP ID NUMBER ISSUING APPARATUS, AND CALL CONTROL APPARATUS - There is provided a group communication system allowing group communication to be performed by a simple operation as well as a group ID number issuing apparatus and a call control apparatus to be applied to such a group communication system. When a user takes a group organization procedure to the group communication system, a group representative telephone number representing the group is issued. After the group representative telephone number is issued, the group representative telephone number can be used in the same manner as for calling a subscriber to call a group member to perform group communication. The group communication can be performed by limiting to a lower level subgroup, a pair of the group representative telephone number and an identifier can be used instead of the subscriber's telephone number to determine the calling partner to make a call.

2009-09-24

20090238357

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE INCLUDING RE-DIAL FEATURE - A directory assistance system includes a request handling module for receiving a plurality of incoming directory assistance requests from requesters and an agent platform for handling the directory assistance requests by providing at least one listing to the requester. A record database stores a record relating to the first request, and includes a first identifier, a time and a listing entry. An incoming request tracking module tracks second incoming directory assistance requests, by reviewing a second identifier associated with the directory assistance request, comparing the second identifier against the first identifiers in the records, and if a record has a matching first identifier to second identifier from request, then, prior to the second request being sent to the agent platform, offering to automatically provide the stored listing entry from the record to the requester.

2009-09-24

20090238358

COMMUNICATING INFORMATION PERTAINING TO CANCELLING OF FORKED CALL REQUESTS - Multiple instances of an incoming call in a unified communication system capable of communicating through multiple networks are provided to devices and/or applications associated with the called party. Upon acceptance or a global rejection of the incoming call through one of the end devices/applications, the remainder are provided a cancellation notice for the forked call request that includes information associated with which end device took the action, what type of action was taken, whether the action was based on automatic policy implementation.

2009-09-24

20090238359

Leveraging A Sip Forking Model for Distributed Contact Center Routing - A method and apparatus are provided for transferring contacts among automatic contact distributors of an automatic contact distribution system. The method includes the steps of collecting information from a contact through an interactive voice response unit of a broker automatic call distributor of the automatic contact distribution system, incorporating the collected information into a SIP message, forking the SIP message from the broker automatic contact distributor to a plurality of other automatic contact distributors of the automatic contact distribution system and transferring the contact from the broker automatic contact distributors to one of the plurality of automatic contact distributors.

2009-09-24

20090238360

EXPONENTIATION LADDER FOR CRYPTOGRAPHY - Method and apparatus for data security using exponentiation. This is suitable for public key cryptography authentication and other data security applications using a one-way function. A type of exponentiation is disclosed here where the bits of an exponent value expressed in binary form correspond to a course (path) in a given graph defining the one-way function. This uses an approach called here F sequences. Each value is in a ladder of a sequence of values, as defined from its predecessor values. This ladder satisfies certain algebraic identities and is readily calculated by a computer program or logic circuitry.

2009-09-24

20090238361

IMAGE ENCRYPTION APPARATUS AND IMAGE DECRYPTION APPARATUS - In an image encryption apparatus, an input processor inputs data of an input image. An encryptor encrypts a part or whole of the data of the input image. A marker generator generates data of a marker indicating an encrypted area. An image saver saves data of a marker-covered image covered with the marker. A marker sticker sticks the marker. An output processor outputs an encrypted image. In an image decryption apparatus, an input processor inputs data of an input image. A marker detector detects a marker and identifies an encrypted area. A decryptor decrypts data in the encrypted area. An image restorer restores data in an area covered with the marker by sticking data of a marker-covered image. An output processor outputs data of a decrypted image.

2009-09-24

20090238362

DISC MANUFACTURING METHOD, DATA RECORDING APPARATUS, INFORMATION RECORDING MEDIUM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - A product mark including a public key certificate issued with respect to an information-recording-medium manufacturing entity or information-recording-medium manufacturing equipment, and an encrypted volume ID calculated by computation based on a product-mark-associated value such as a hash value generated on the basis of the product mark, and a volume ID as an identifier set with respect to a given set of discs to be manufactured, are generated. The product mark and the encrypted volume ID are set as information for generating a key used for decryption of encrypted content, and recorded onto a disc by a reflective-film-removal recording method. Due to this configuration, the product mark and the encrypted volume ID as key generating information cannot be read from a pirated disc produced by physically copying a pit pattern on the basis of a legitimate commercial disc, thereby making it possible to prevent unauthorized reproduction or use of content.

IMAGE SCANNER - A scanner includes a scanning unit which scans an object to generate scan data, a scan data storage, a location information transmitting unit configured to transmit location information indicative of a location where the scan data is stored to an external device, a device-location storage stores device-location information including device identifying information used for identifying a device to which the scan data generated by the scanning unit is transmitted and the location identifying information in a associated manner, a reception unit receives combination information representing a combination of the device identifying information and the location identifying information, and a scan data transmitting unit configured to transmit the scan data stored at a location identified by the location identifying information to the device identified by the device identifying information on condition that the combination represented by the combination information received by the reception unit is stored in the device-location storage.

2009-09-24

20090238365

METHOD AND SYSTEM TO PROVIDE FINE GRANULAR INTEGRITY TO DIGITAL DATA - A method and system to generate fine granular integrity to huge volumes of data in real time at a very low computational cost. The invention proposes a scalable system that can receive different digital data from multiple sources and generates integrity streams associated to the original data. This invention provides full guarantees for data integrity; the order of data logged cannot be altered and content cannot be modified added or deleted without detection.

2009-09-24

20090238366

Random access method for improving scrambling efficiency - A random access method for improving scrambling performance is disclosed. In particular, when a terminal performs a random access to a specific network, the present invention proposes a scheme for transmitting an uplink transmission signal corresponding to an uplink grant by scrambling the uplink transmission signal using a terminal identification information value received via a random access response message. Preferably, the terminal identification information value used for the scrambling is able to use a temporary C-RNTI received via the random access response message.

2009-09-24

20090238367

DIRECT DELIVERY OF CONTENT DESCRAMBLING KEYS USING CHIP-UNIQUE CODE - Systems and methods of direct delivery of content descrambling keys using chip-unique code are described herein. One such method includes receiving a unique chip identifier from a digital subscriber communications terminal; determining a chip key associated to the chip identifier; encrypting a service instance using the chip key; and transmitting the encrypted service instance. One such system includes a chip key server configured to store a plurality of chip identifiers, each identifier associated with a chip key, and configured to receive a unique chip identifier from a digital subscriber communications terminal; and an encryptor configured to encrypt a service instance using the chip key associated with the unique chip identifier, the chip key provided by the chip key server.

2009-09-24

20090238368

Key distribution system - The cloning source of an authorized receiving device cannot be identified. A key distribution system

2009-09-24

20090238369

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING WIND NOISE USING MULTIPLE AUDIO SOURCES - A method for detecting wind noise is described. At least two audio signals are received. The at least two audio signals are filtered to reduce higher frequencies and to reduce lower frequencies to provide at least two filtered audio signals. The cross correlation of the at least two filtered audio signals is computed for multiple delays. A maximum cross correlation is determined from the cross correlations computed for the multiple delays. Wind noise is detected by comparing the maximum cross correlation with a threshold.

2009-09-24

20090238370

SYSTEM, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PREDICTING THE PERCEIVED SPATIAL QUALITY OF SOUND PROCESSING AND REPRODUCING EQUIPMENT - The present invention relates to a method and corresponding system for predicting the perceived spatial quality of sound processing and reproducing equipment. According to the invention a device to be tested, a so-called device under test (DUT), is subjected to one or more test signals and the response of the device under test is provided to one or more means for deriving metrics, i.e. a higher-level representation of the raw data obtained from the device under test. The derived one or more metrics is/are provided to suitable predictor means that “translates” the objective measure provided by the one or more metrics to a predicted perceived spatial quality. To this end said predictor means is calibrated using listening tests carried out on real listeners. By means of the invention there is thus provided an “instrument” that can replace expensive and time consuming listening tests for instance during development of various audio processing or reproduction systems or methods.

2009-09-24

20090238371

SYSTEM, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PREDICTING THE PERCEIVED SPATIAL QUALITY OF SOUND PROCESSING AND REPRODUCING EQUIPMENT - The present invention relates to a method and corresponding system for predicting the perceived spatial quality of sound processing and reproducing equipment. According to the invention a device to be tested, a so-called device under test (DUT), is subjected to one or more test signals and the response of the device under test is provided to one or more means for deriving metrics, i.e. a higher-level representation of the raw data obtained from the device under test. The derived one or more metrics is/are provided to suitable predictor means that “translates” the objective measure provided by the one or more metrics to a predicted perceived spatial quality. To this end said predictor means is calibrated using listening tests carried out on real listeners. By means of the invention there is thus provided an “instrument” that can replace expensive and time consuming listening tests for instance during development of various audio processing or reproduction systems or methods.

2009-09-24

20090238372

VERTICALLY OR HORIZONTALLY PLACEABLE COMBINATIVE ARRAY SPEAKER - The present invention provides a vertically or horizontally placeable combinative array speaker. The vertically or horizontally placeable combinative array speaker includes a microprocessor, an orientation sensor coupled to the microprocessor to sense condition changes of the combinative array speaker, a sound field reconstructing unit formed within or outside of the combinative array speaker, wherein the sound field reconstructing unit is coupled to the microprocessor to simulate surround sounds, and array speakers coupled to the sound field reconstructing unit through an amplifier.

2009-09-24

20090238373

System and method for envelope-based acoustic echo cancellation - Systems and methods for envelope-based acoustic echo cancellation in a communication device are provided. In exemplary embodiments, a primary acoustic signal is received via a microphone of the communication device, and a far-end signal is received via a receiver. Frequency analysis is performed on the primary acoustic signal and the far-end acoustic signal to obtain frequency sub-bands. An echo gain mask based on magnitude envelopes of the primary and far-end acoustic signals for each frequency sub-band is generated. A noise gain mask based on at least the primary acoustic signal for each frequency sub-band may also be generated. A combination of the echo gain mask and noise gain mask may then be applied to the primary acoustic signal to generate a masked signal. The masked signal is then output.

2009-09-24

20090238374

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ACOUSTIC SEALING - At least one exemplary embodiment if directed to a device configured to be inserted into an orifice comprising: at least one portion that can vary volume in response to a voltage difference across at least a second portion of the at least one portion's volume, where the at least one portion is at least partially surrounded by a membrane.

2009-09-24

20090238375

DUAL STREAMING WITH EXCHANGE OF FEC STREAMS BY AUDIO SINKS - A system and method is described herein in which an audio source wirelessly transmits audio content to a first audio sink over one wireless link and to a second audio sink over another wireless link. The two audio sinks also exchange forward error correction (FEC) streams over a wireless link between the two audio sinks, wherein the FEC streams are generated by FEC encoding the audio content received from the audio source. The audio sinks advantageously use the exchanged FEC information to synchronize the playback of the audio content as well as to improve the robustness of the wireless links with the audio source in a manner that does not consume additional bandwidth on those links.

2009-09-24

20090238376

Location based audio reception zone system for use with vehicular entertainment systems - A location based audio reception zone system for use in vehicle includes a driver's seat and one or more passenger seats. A radio frequency (RF) transmitter is used for transmitting entertainment content to one or more headsets located in a passenger seat. The RF transmitter transmits in a predefined reception zone for disabling audio in a headset located within the zone for preventing a driver from using the headset when in the driver's seat. The invention enhances safe driving practices for preventing entertainment audio from being received by the headsets located in proximity to the driver's seat.

2009-09-24

20090238377

SPEECH ENHANCEMENT USING MULTIPLE MICROPHONES ON MULTIPLE DEVICES - Signal processing solutions take advantage of microphones located on different devices and improve the quality of transmitted voice signals in a communication system. With usage of various devices such as Bluetooth headsets, wired headsets and the like in conjunction with mobile handsets, multiple microphones located on different devices are exploited for improving performance and/or voice quality in a communication system. Audio signals are recorded by microphones on different devices and processed to produce various benefits, such as improved voice quality, background noise reduction, voice activity detection and the like.

2009-09-24

20090238378

Enhanced Immersive Soundscapes Production - An immersive audio-visual system (and a method) for creating an enhanced interactive and immersive audio-visual environment is disclosed. The immersive audio-visual environment enables participants to enjoy true interactive, immersive audio-visual reality experience in a variety of applications. The immersive audio-visual system comprises an immersive video system, an immersive audio system and an immersive audio-visual production system. The video system creates immersive stereoscopic videos that mix live videos, computer generated graphic images and human interactions with the system. The immersive audio system creates immersive sounds with each sound resource positioned correct with respect to the position of an associated participant in a video scene. The immersive audio-video production system produces an enhanced immersive audio and videos based on the generated immersive stereoscopic videos and immersive sounds. A variety of applications are enabled by the immersive audio-visual production including casino-type interactive gaming system and training system.

2009-09-24

20090238379

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MINIMIZING QUANTIZATION NOISE AS MUTING - An apparatus and method for minimizing the quantization noise as muting are provided, and particularly applied to a Delta-Sigma modulator that is used to process digital-to-analog conversion. By means of a zero-sampling detection circuit and a dynamic gain mechanism, a dynamic gain is introduced to minimize the quantization noise occurred as muting. The method preferably includes a first step for receiving the signals by the Delta-Sigma modulator inputted from an audio decoder, and a next step for detecting signal zero by a zero-sampling detection unit and counting the number of the signals with signal zero. The mute state is entered when the number of signal zeros reaches a pre-set number. At the moment, the signaling route is switched to another route with dynamic gain mechanism. Further, the dynamic gain mechanism is activated for producing a dynamic gain, which will be fed back to the input end of the modulator.

2009-09-24

20090238380

SPATIALLY ROBUST AUDIO PRECOMPENSATION - A discrete-time audio precompensation filter is designed based on a linear model that describes the dynamic response of a sound generating system at p>1 listening positions. The filter construction is based on providing information (S2) representative of n non-minimum phase zeros {z,} that are outside of the stability region |z|=

2009-09-24

20090238381

Autonomous mixer for devices capable of storing and playing audio signals - An apparatus and method for autonomously mixing multiple devices capable of storing and playing audio signals is provided. Multiple devices can be mixed into one standard stereo signal that can then be played on any sort of powered speakers or amplifier. The apparatus is capable of receiving multiple audio inputs and can combine multiple iPods®, iPhones®, MP3 devices, or other devices capable of storing and playing audio signals, such that more than one device can be played at one time. No human intervention is required to control the device when the device is in autonomous mode. The autonomous mode can include random song playback using multiple devices.

2009-09-24

20090238382

AUDIO REPRODUCTION SYSTEM - The audio reproduction system amplifies and reproduces both a digital audio signal and an analog audio signal. After delta sigma modulation by a ΔΣ modulator, the digital audio signal is pulse width modulated by a first PWM converter and supplied to a selector. The analog audio signal is compared with a PWM carrier signal by a second PWM converter, converted to a PWM signal, and supplied to the selector. A signal selected by the selector is then amplified by a class D amplifier.

2009-09-24

20090238383

LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SYNTHESIZED DIRECTIONAL SOUND BEAM - A loudspeaker system has a plurality of relatively small transducer elements configured in a closely spaced transducer array such that their acoustic outputs combine to produce a focused beam of sound in front of the array that is substantially uniform about the beams radiation axis. The transducer array lies in a plane and has a perimeter that approximates a circle, and will have fill-factor with respect to a circle circumscribing the array of at least approximately 70%. In one variation of the loudspeaker system, the transducer array is constructed in smaller transducer array modules that are operatively fitted together to produce a larger array.

2009-09-24

20090238384

METHOD AND SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR INTEGRATING AUDIO AND VIDEO COMPONENTS - A method and support structure for integrating audio and video components includes integrating a plurality of components having diverse functions, e.g., tuners, media player/recorders, amplifiers and a surround sound unit, into a single supportive enclosure configured as a unitary system rather than one with many boxes or modules requiring additional space. The modules may share a common power supply and heat dissipation components. The enclosure provides a stand to support a video display unit or a television set. A shelf support and an interface are optionally provided for a discrete component such as a cable box. In an alternative embodiment, the enclosure does not support a video display unit but houses a center channel speaker unit in a structure unitary with the enclosure.

2009-09-24

20090238385

Hearing system with partial band signal exchange and corresponding method - A binaural supply with a hearing system is to be enabled, whereby the computing outlay and energy consumption are to be kept as minimal as possible. A hearing system comprising a first hearing apparatus including a first signal input facility and a first communication facility and a second hearing apparatus including a second signal input facility, a second communication facility for receiving a signal from the first communication facility and a second signal processing facility for processing signals from the second signal input facility and the second communication facility are provided to form a common output signal. The signal transmitted from the first to the second communication facility corresponds to a real spectral part of the overall frequency spectrum of the first input signal. As only one part of the overall spectrum is transmitted and/or binaurally processed, the computing outlay and energy consumption is reduced.

2009-09-24

20090238386

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EVENT REMINDER USING AN EARPIECE - A method for administering an audio message to a user of an earpiece can include receiving event information from a paired communication device, updating a personal event calendar by ordering event information to generate a first event list, generating a modified event list by grouping events in the first event list according to acceptance criteria based on event priority of event types, and generating an audio token for collective events in the modified event list for audible delivery to the ear canal. Events can be ordered by event name, event location, event data, event importance, event invitees, or event category. Other embodiments are disclosed.

2009-09-24

20090238387

Method for actively reducing occlusion comprising plausibility check and corresponding hearing apparatus - Adaption of signal processing for actively reducing occlusion in hearing apparatuses, and in particular in hearing aids, is to be automated further. For this purpose, a transducer transmission function, which is defined for the transmission path from the input of a receiver via the auditory canal to the output of a microphone, be subjected to an automatic plausibility check. An adjustable filter via which the microphone signal is fed back is only altered if the transducer transmission function is plausible according to a predefined criterion. Disadvantageous convergences of the adaptation algorithm can be avoided hereby and unnecessarily high computing times can be prevented.

2009-09-24

20090238388

Hearing Aid With Enhanced Vent - A hearing aid with a microphone for receiving acoustic signals and converting them to electrical signals, electronic circuitry for processing the electrical signals, and a speaker for converting the processed electrical signals into acoustic signals, has a shell that encases at least portions of the microphone, the electronic circuitry, and the speaker, the shell further encasing an inside volume. The hearing aid further has a vent that provides an opening between the inside volume and a region external to the hearing aid. A flexible membrane is provided that covers an opening of the vent and an acoustic resistor that contacts the flexible membrane. The membrane helps prevent wax fumes from entering the inside volume, and the acoustic resistor helps to reduce distortion in the frequency response of the hearing aid.

2009-09-24

20090238389

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IN SITU CERUMEN REMOVAL FROM HEARING DEVICES - Various embodiments provide systems, methods and assemblies for in situ removal of cerumen from hearing devices positioned in the ear canal. One embodiments provides a fitting for in situ cerumen removal comprising a top portion shaped to be removably coupled to a hearing device component surface and a plurality of leg members extending axially from a perimeter of the top portion. The top portion has a plurality of openings and at least one flexible retaining element configured to releasably engage a retaining feature on the hearing device. The leg members are configured to fit over another surface of the hearing device component. The fitting is configured to remove cerumen obstructing a feature on the device component and can be removed from the device component without removing the hearing device from the ear canal. The fitting can also include a removal loop that has a non-deployed state and a deployed state.

2009-09-24

20090238390

HEARING AID - Supply of power is ensured on use without requiring troublesome works such as battery replacement work and charging work. Specifically, hearing aids, which collect sound, amplify the collected sound, and output the amplified sound, boosts electromotive force generated by the Peltier module derived from temperature difference between a human-body contact portion and an ambient-air contact portion, and causes sound collecting units, a controller IC, a speaker to operate by the boosted voltage.

2009-09-24

20090238391

VIBRATION ABSORBING MEMBER AND AUDIO APPARATUS USING THE SAME - An audio apparatus includes a speaker having an output surface from which sound waves of the speaker radiate out; and a vibration absorbing member housing the speaker therein. The vibration absorbing member including a vibration absorbing portion attached to the output surface of the speaker, and a fastening portion connecting and surrounding the vibration absorbing portion and sleeves on the speaker configured for attaching the vibration absorbing member to the speaker. The vibration absorbing portion defining a through hole for allowing the sound waves from the speaker to radiate out.

2009-09-24

20090238392

Dynamic microphone - Even in the case where the volume of a back air chamber is small, sounds with a low frequency (low range) can be captured by equivalently decreasing the acoustic impedance of the back air chamber. A dynamic microphone includes a microphone unit

2009-09-24

20090238393

Package for array microphones - A package for storing microphones includes a main body, a plurality of hollows, and a cover. The hollows are spaced apart and arranged in rows and columns on the main body. Each hollow has a plurality of cavities provided therein to store the microphones. The cover covers the main body and the microphones in the hollows.

2009-09-24

20090238394

MICROPHONE AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING THE SAME - A microphone includes: a substrate including a tone hole and having a top surface on which a substrate electrode is provided; a converter provided on the top surface of the substrate and including a main body having a back space, a diaphragm provided at the bottom of the back space of the main body, and a converter electrode provided on a region of a bottom surface of the main body facing the substrate electrode; and a bump connecting the substrate electrode and the converter electrode to each other. The diaphragm vibrates in response to sound entering from the tone hole. The converter converts sound into a signal.

2009-09-24

20090238395

CABLE MANAGEMENT FOR PERSONAL MEDIA PLAYER ACCESSORIES - An arrangement for managing cables of accessories such as earphone sets, chargers, and synchronization arrangements used with portable electronic devices is provided by a flexible and elastically deformable loop that extends from a base that optionally includes a hook or other loop retention feature. The base may be alternatively configured to be integrally formed with a component of an accessory, or be configured as a discrete clip that may be detachably coupled to the component, or to the cable portion of the accessory. The elastically deformable loop is configured to be removably fastenable by a user to articles such as buttons on clothing to help keep cables out of the way when the accessory is in use. In addition, the elastically deformable loop may be used to keep an accessory cable neatly stowed during storage by being stretched around a bundled cable and then secured on the hook.

2009-09-24

20090238396

Video/audio playing apparatus with wireless signal transmission function and wireless video/audio transmission module thereof - A video/audio playing apparatus with wireless audio signal transmission function comprising: a headset place slot, an audio processing module, a wireless audio signal transmission module, and a system audio interface. The headset place slot can accept and electrically connect a wireless headset, and transmits an electric potential signal. The audio processing module is used for outputting an audio signal. The wireless audio signal transmission module further comprises: an audio signal switching unit and a control unit. The audio signal switching unit is used for receiving the audio signal, and switches the output path of audio signal according to the electric potential signal. The control unit connects to the audio signal switching unit and connects to the wireless headset using wireless. Thus, the audio signal switching unit can switch the wireless headset or the system audio interface to output the audio signal according to the electric potential signal.

2009-09-24

20090238397

HEADSET WITH NOISE PLATES - A headset comprises two earphones joined together by a band which can be worn over the head of a wearer. Each earphone includes a noise plate, which functions to attenuate or eliminate noise from the environment such as a tournament gaming environment. The noise plate includes an aperture through which a boom assembly that houses a microphone may engage to transmit utterances of the wearer to audio processing circuitry. A grille can be exposed when the noise plate is removed, which allows sounds produced in the ambient environment to enter the earphone.

MINIATURE STEREO AUDIO EARPHONES - A miniature audio earphone includes a pair of audio earphones, an electrical connector adapted for making a selectively detachable physical and electrical connection to a source of stereo audio signals, a generally Y-shaped electrical lead assembly having a bifurcated upper portion and an adjoining lower portion, whose lower end is coupled to the connector. The upper portion has a pair of branch leads each of which is coupled to a respective one of said earphones. A plurality of exteriorly disposed mechanical shielding elements at least partially surrounds an underlying portion of at least one of said branch leads to resist damage to the lead assembly due to abrasion, crushing, kinking and cutting without unduly impairing the flexibility of the assembly or causing it to have an unattractive appearance. A tensile stress-relief line is also provided for resisting damage to the upper portion of the assembly due to tension.

2009-09-24

20090238400

Sound generating apparatus embedded into shoe and its shoes - The present invention relates to a sound generating apparatus embedded into a shoe and its shoes, the sound generating apparatus having a sensor embedded into the shoe to generate simple sounds, numeral voices together with the simple sounds or numeral voices in a multiplication table in a case where consecutive motions are detected a certain number of times within a predetermined time or at a less time interval than the predetermined time.

2009-09-24

20090238401

UNIVERSAL AUDIO SPEAKER MOUNT AND KITS AND METHODS FOR INSTALLATION - A universal audio speaker mounting board for speaker systems that simulates the structural surface that traditional flush-mounted speakers are mounted to, thus providing the ability to use a variety of flush-mount speakers in a variety of encasements, such as bookshelf enclosures or cabinets. Methods of installation and kits for installation are also contemplated.

2009-09-24

20090238402

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR VISUALIZING POSITIONS ON A SURFACE - A device and a method are disclosed for visualizing positions on a surface by means of a marking which is produced by an optically detectable radiation. In order to permit a residue-free marking which can be observed with a camera from partly extremely oblique observation directions, the device has an optical waveguide, which is coupled to a radiation source and whose light output region can be located at a desired position of the surface in order to emit optically detectable radiation at the desired position of the surface through the optical waveguide. As a result, the radiation is emitted at the desired position of the surface in various spatial directions.

2009-09-24

20090238403

Systems and Methods Using Identifying Data Derived or Extracted from Video, Audio or Images - The presently claimed invention relates to deriving or extracting information from audio, images and video. One claim recites a method of operating a network filter. The network includes a plurality of network nodes, the network filter is for filtering video or audio. The method includes: monitoring video or audio traffic to a particular network node; identifying a first video or audio at the particular network node through deriving identifying data from data representing the first video or audio, the deriving utilizes at least one programmed multi-purpose computer processor; determining additional information associated with the first video or audio based at least in part on the identifying information; and notifying the network node of the presence of the additional information.

2009-09-24

20090238404

METHODS FOR USING DEFORMABLE MODELS FOR TRACKING STRUCTURES IN VOLUMETRIC DATA - A computerized method for tracking of a 3D structure in a 3D image including a plurality of sequential image frames, one of which is a current image frame, includes representing the 3D structure being tracked with a parametric model with parameters for local shape deformations. A predicted state vector is created for the parametric model using a kinematic model. The parametric model is deformed using the predicted state vector, and a plurality of actual points for the 3D structure is determined using a current frame of the 3D image, and displacement values and a measurement vectors are determined using differences between the plurality of actual points and the plurality of predicted points. The displacement values and the measurement vectors are filtered to generate an updated state vector and an updated covariance matrix, and an updated parametric model is generated for the current image frame using the updated state vector.

2009-09-24

20090238405

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENABLING A USER TO PLAY A LARGE SCREEN GAME BY MEANS OF A MOBILE DEVICE - The present invention relates to a system and method for determining and tracking one or more objects, or one or more image sections within each image of a video stream to be displayed on user's mobile device, comprising: (a) one or more video streams to be run on a streaming server; (b) an image capture software component for capturing images of said one or more video streams, according to a first group of one or more sets of rules; (c) a receiver for receiving one or more commands generated by a user and transferring said commands to an extra-layer software component; (d) an extra-layer software component for: (d.1.) determining one or more objects or image sections within the captured images; (d.2.) tracking said objects or image sections within said captured images; and (d.3.) processing said captured images, to generate corresponding images to be displayed on a mobile device screen, according to a second group of one or more sets of rules and according to user's commands received by means of said receiver; (e) a compression software component for compressing the images, processed by means of said extra-layer software component, according to a third group of one or more sets of rules; (f) a data software component for providing groups of one or more sets of rules to said image capture software component, said extra-layer software component and said compression software component; and (g) a transmitter for transmitting the compressed images to a mobile device. The system and method further comprises a relayout software component for: (a) determining one or more objects or image sections within each image of the one or more video streams; (b) tracking said objects or image sections within said each image of said one or more video streams; and (c) processing said each image, to generate corresponding images to be displayed on a mobile device screen, according to a first group of one or more sets of rules and according to user's commands received by means of the receiver.

2009-09-24

20090238406

Dynamic state estimation - According to an implementation, a set of particles is provided for use in estimating a location of a state of a dynamic system. A local-mode seeking mechanism is applied to move one or more particles in the set of particles, and the number of particles in the set of particles is modified. The location of the state of the dynamic system is estimated using particles in the set of particles. Another implementation provides dynamic state estimation using a particle filter for which the particle locations are modified using a local-mode seeking algorithm based on a mean-shift analysis and for which the number of particles is adjusted using a Kullback-Leibler-distance sampling process. The mean-shift analysis may reduce degeneracy in the particles, and the sampling process may reduce the computational complexity of the particle filter. The implementation may be useful with non-linear and non-Gaussian systems.

2009-09-24

20090238407

Object detecting apparatus and method for detecting an object - An apparatus for detecting an object, includes: a candidate point detection unit detecting a candidate point between the ground and an object from an image; a tracking unit calculating positions of the candidate point at a first time and a second time; a difference calculation unit calculating a difference between an estimated position at the second time and the candidate point position at the second time; and a state determination unit determining a new state of the candidate point at the second time based on the difference, and changing the search threshold value or a state.

2009-09-24

20090238408

IMAGE-SIGNAL PROCESSOR, IMAGE-SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image-signal processing apparatus configured to track an object moving in an image includes a setting unit configured to set an eliminating area in an image constituting a moving image; a motion-vector detecting unit configured to detect an object in the image constituting a moving image and detect a motion vector corresponding to the object using an area excluding the eliminating area in the image; and an estimating unit configured to estimate a position to which the object moves on the basis of the detected motion vector.

2009-09-24

20090238409

Method for testing a motion vector - A method for testing a motion vector is described, which has: provision of at least one item of motion information assigned to the image sequence; storing a first image section of the first image in a first buffer memory and storing a second image section of the second image in a second intermediate memory, whereby a position of the first image section in the first image and a position of the second image section in the second image have reciprocal offset, which is dependent on the at least one item of motion information; determining a first image block in the first image section and a second image block in a second image section using the motion vector; comparing the contents of the first and of the second image block.

2009-09-24

20090238410

FACE RECOGNITION WITH COMBINED PCA-BASED DATASETS - A face recognition method for working with two or more collections of facial images is provided. A representation framework is determined for a first collection of facial images including at least principle component analysis (PCA) features. A representation of said first collection is stored using the representation framework. A modified representation framework is determined based on statistical properties of original facial image samples of a second collection of facial images and the stored representation of the first collection. The first and second collections are combined without using original facial image samples. A representation of the combined image collection (super-collection) is stored using the modified representation framework. A representation of a current facial image, determined in terms of the modified representation framework, is compared with one or more representations of facial images of the combined collection. Based on the comparing, it is determined which, if any, of the facial images within the combined collection matches the current facial image.

2009-09-24

20090238411

ESTIMATING MOTION OF AN EVENT CAPTURED USING A DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA - An event aware video system (EAVS) is to capture video frames during a first time period and process events in the video frames before transferring the processed data to a central computing system. The EAVS may establish a no-event frame by marking a last frame as the no-event frame if the difference between adjacent pair of video frames is less than a threshold value. The EVAS may mark a present frame captured after establishing the no-event frame as the event frame if the difference between the present and a previous frame is greater than the threshold value. The EAVS may provide event information to the central computing system by performing temporal blending, which includes linearly combining the movement of objects within the moving object in adjacent event frames to generate blurred images. The difference between the blurred images may represent displacement of objects moving within the moving object.

2009-09-24

20090238412

LOCAL MOTION COMPENSATED RECONSTRUCTION OF STENOSIS - The analysis of a stenosis of a coronary vessel in three dimensions requires a motion compensated reconstruction. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an examination apparatus for local motion compensated reconstruction data set is provided, wherein the local motion compensated reconstruction vectors relating to a start point and an end point of the stenosis.

2009-09-24

20090238413

METHOD FOR QUANTIFYING METAL COLLOID - A method for quantifying metal colloidal particles carrying to-be-detected analytes, includes producing an inspection sample by developing solution containing the metal colloidal particles on a substrate, generating a plurality of image data about an identical visual field by enlarging and capturing the sample, removing a signal component derived from an impurity existing on the substrate from the image data by comparing the plurality of image data, and measuring the metal colloidal particles from the image data from which the signal component derived from the impurity was removed.

2009-09-24

20090238414

VIRTUAL WHITE LINES FOR DELIMITING PLANNED EXCAVATION SITES - A method may include sending an aerial image to a user via a network; receiving a marked-up version of the aerial image from the user via the network that includes one or more virtual white lines added to the aerial image that delimit a dig area in which excavation is planned; and providing the marked-up version of the aerial image, via one of an electronic or tangible delivery system, to another entity.

2009-09-24

20090238415

VIRTUAL WHITE LINES FOR DELIMITING PLANNED EXCAVATION SITES - Methods and apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. A digital image of a geographic area including the dig area is electronically received at a first user location remote from the dig area, and at least a portion of the received digital image is displayed on a display device at the first user location remote from the dig area. One or more indicators are added to the displayed digital image, via a user input device associated with the display device, to provide at least one indication of the dig area and thereby generate a marked-up digital image. Information relating to the marked-up digital image is electronically transmitted and/or electronically stored so as to facilitate the detection of the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility within the dig area.

2009-09-24

20090238416

VIRTUAL WHITE LINES FOR DELIMITING PLANNED EXCAVATION SITES - Method and apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. At least one marked-up digital image of a geographic area including the dig area, the image including at least one indicator to delimit the dig area, is electronically processed by converting the at least one indicator to a plurality of geographic coordinates representing the delimited dig area. Information relating to a locate request ticket identifying the dig area to be excavated is electronically transmitted and/or electronically stored, wherein the locate request ticket includes image data and non-image data associated with the dig area. The image data includes the at least one marked-up digital image of the geographic area surrounding the dig area, and the non-image data includes the plurality of geographic coordinates representing the delimited dig area.

2009-09-24

20090238417

VIRTUAL WHITE LINES FOR INDICATING PLANNED EXCAVATION SITES ON ELECTRONIC IMAGES - Methods and apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. Source data representing one or more input images of a geographic area including the dig area is electronically received at a first user location, which may be remote from the dig area. The source data is processed so as to display at least a portion of the input image(s) on a display device at the first user location. One or more indicators are added to the displayed input image(s), via a user input device associated with the display device, to provide at least one indication of the dig area and thereby generate a marked-up digital image. In one example, the indicator(s) is/are added to the displayed input image(s) without acquiring geographic coordinates corresponding to the indicator(s).

2009-09-24

20090238418

AUTHENTICATION APPARATUS AND AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM - An authentication apparatus includes: an acquiring section that acquires a piece of biometric authentication information; a controlling section that causes the acquiring section to acquire plural pieces of biometric authentication information and causes to execute a biometric authentication based on the plural pieces of biometric authentication information; a storing section that stores, as reference information, a first one of the plural pieces of biometric authentication information, which is acquired and authenticated precedently among the plural pieces of biometric authentication information; and a discriminating section that determines, based on a degree of similarity between the reference information stored in the storing section and a second one of the plural pieces of biometric authentication information, that authentication is rejected when the degree of similarity exceeds a prescribed degree of similarity. The second one of the plural pieces of biometric authentication information is acquired subsequently among the plural pieces of biometric authentication information.

2009-09-24

20090238419

FACE RECOGNITION TRAINING METHOD AND APPARATUS - A device is trained for face recognition. A first acquired digital image of a scene includes a face. Face image data is extracted and stored in a face image library along with an unique identifier. A second acquired digital image may or may not include the face of the same person as the face in the first acquired digital image. Face recognition is applied to extracted face data of the second digital image, and the face of the first digital image is displayed as a match to the face of the second digital image when the first and second images are determined to match or the second digital image or a face therein is identified with biometric data stored along with the first digital image when the faces in the first and second images are determined to match.

IMAGE NORMALIZATION FOR COMPUTER-AIDED DETECTION, REVIEW AND DIAGNOSIS - A method and apparatus for processing medical images from one of a plurality of digital acquisition modalities or manufacturers with different imaging condition is proposed for creating consistent appearance of the images. The method comprises (1) tissue segmentation to isolate the region of interest; (2) dynamic extraction of the optimal parameters for image transformation from the segmented region; (3) generation of a transformation function from the individual image optimized parameters; and (4) use of the transformation function to produce images that have consistent image characteristics. This method also applies to multiple images from a single study or multiple studies. The transformed images can be used for computer-aided lesion detection, review and diagnosis.

2009-09-24

20090238422

COMMUNICATIVE CAD SYSTEM FOR ASSISTING BREAST IMAGING DIAGNOSIS - This invention provides a computational intelligence method and system that can be used interactively by a radiologist in a “concurrent read” model to aid diagnosis from medical images. In particular, the invention operates more like a very patient, indefatigable knowledge accumulating and communicating companion for the radiologist, rather than a second “expert” whose advice is sought after a normal review. The system works interactively with the radiologist during image reading, prompting areas to review in more detail, providing computer generated features and interpretation, and suggesting potential diagnoses for areas of suspicion that are identified either by the machine or the human. In addition, the human can obtain more information from the system—the radiologist can query as to why a particular region is highlighted, or why a particular diagnosis is postulated for an area. Conversely, the system learns from the human—the radiologist identifies areas that should be marked, and updates the computer's knowledge of what the diagnosis should be for that area.